We’ve come to the end of another 30 Day blog challenge, although mine tuned into 25 Days, I think. So, I missed a few. I didn’t explode, the world didn’t end and my life is still churning ahead at breakneck speed. That’s a big lesson learned for Miss Type-A here.
30 Days of Farm Girl Memories set out to prove the theory that “relief from an over scheduled day can be found by reminiscing”. I enjoyed flipping through my mental photo album, fact-checking with my siblings and sharing some of our most cherished family adventures with you.
Growing up, I treasured my farm life to the point that change freaked me out. If a tree fell down in a storm, I mourned that tree because at some point I may have written a diary entry in its shade. When a new piece of equipment arrived, I’d firmly tell my parents they just needed to work harder to make the old tractor work better. When my dad remodeled the “old” farrowing house, I accused him of succumbing to a new trend. And in my melancholy youthful mind, old was better than anything new.
Essentially, I wanted my life to be my memories, preserved in the everyday things that surrounded me.
A few years ago, when my mom and aunt were cleaning out their childhood home, I asked how difficult it was to make the choice to keep or pitch certain things. My aunt shrugged and said, “Katie, it isn’t the thing that makes the memory. It’s here,” and she tapped her head, “that keeps the memory.”
Grandma June’s passing combined with a week of holiday preparation has certainly proven that theory true. I’ve cried a few tears – okay many tears – and laughed long and loud not because of a thing, but because of a memory. They are kept locked in the deepest recesses of our consciousness waiting to be retrieved when we need them most – for comfort, for purpose, for knowledge.
So much of today’s conversation about farming and food involves our memories of how life used to be. We are drawn to the romantic notion that a simpler time must come from a simpler past. Because how can we construct something simple out of a more complex today?
A worn out Super-M plodding through a field must be better than the GPS guided, auto-steer capable Magnum 340, because we have memories attached to the Super-M.
A red barn that is no longer red but weathered gray must be better than the sturdier, compact lean-to housing hay and cattle. Why? Because we have memories – so many memories attached to that barn.
Memories are awesome, often scary, reminders of from where we’ve come. But they are no place to live. Todays are designated for that privilege.
So I conclude my 30 Days (I mean, 25). Thanks for reading and sharing. This holiday season raise a glass to your memories, but toast your today.
Read more 30 Days of Farm Girl Memories
- Kick-off
- Day 1: Surprise Kittens
- Day 2: The Men in My Life
- Day 3: Small Town Saturday Night
- Day 4: “Fall”ing in Love
- Day 5: A Bag of Caramels
- Day 6: Chores in the Dark
- Day 7: Things My Mother Said
- Day 8: Munchy Cheese
- Day 9: Super Swiffer Saturday
- Day 10: Dad’s Church
- Day 11: Kansas City, Then & Now
- Day 12: Video #Throwback: Field Meals
- Day 13: Eggs in A Nest
- Day 14: Baling
- Day 15: The Popcorn Stand
- Day 17: Popping Up Memories
- Day 18: Watching the Weather
- Day 19: The Secret Lives of Farmers
- Day 20: Cows Out
- Day 21: Making the Bed
- Day 22: The Legend of Blacko
- Day 24: Dancing in Heaven
- Day 26: Playdates
- Day 27: “Love Letter”
And find other 30 Day bloggers starting with the one who got us into this – Holly Spangler from My Generation.
Thank YOU for sharing! I have enjoyed your memories and my own that they triggered!